Aston Villa ‘looking over their shoulders’ at rampaging Newcastle – Keith Wyness
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness has insisted not having the distraction of European football could play into the hands of Newcastle United next season.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the north-east giants could have a strong campaign in the Premier League as they focus purely on domestic football.
The Magpies thought they had potentially done enough to secure qualification for the Europa Conference League following their seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season.
But Manchester United’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City booked their place in the Europa League, with Chelsea dropping down into the Europa Conference League spot.
Newcastle United tipped to bounce back after European blow
Wyness is backing Eddie Howe’s side to put that disappointment behind them and push for a European place again next season.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “For Newcastle next season without a European campaign, I think that could play into their hands.
“They could be strong performers in the league next season.
“That is the sort of club Aston Villa are going to have to be looking over their shoulders at as well as Tottenham.
“If Manchester United do somehow perform a miracle and get things stabilised, they could be pushing.
“Chelsea we expect to go forward even though there is still unsettlement there.”
In other news, nine players set to leave St James’ Park this summer.
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